A key characteristic of memorable outdoor living spaces is that they have what we can loosely call a strong “sense of place.” The elements that contribute to this sense of place are things that give enclosure, taking the vast, undefined outdoors and carving “rooms” into it, spaces that impart a feeling of containment,…
Spending time outside is good for your physical and mental health. It is shown it can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance your mood and creativity. Outdoor spaces can easily be considered an extension of the inside of your home, so why not design it that way? Did you…
Style Mishaps So, I’ve hired a wardrobe consultant twice in my life when I had the realization that my decision-making process was flawed when making style selections for myself. I was consistently picking things that were too flashy, too gaudy, or too bright. I was choosing patterns that were too busy,…
As seen in… Harness the power of reflections to maximize emotional impact WHY ARE REFLECTIONS so compelling? We see them used to powerful effect in poolscapes today and in the world’s most famous bodies of man-made water, such as the reflecting ponds in front of the Taj Mahal and the…
A Sleek Solution, Streamlined This edited, lighter design still features overlapping rectangular forms to unite the varying locations in the yard. This refined version of the previous design shows that it is really the underlying layout that drives the design. As long as that is intact, a lot of elements can…
A Sleek Solution Overlapping rectangular forms were crafted to weave foreground, central spaces with distant corners of this elongated, shallow yard. To create interplay between distant spaces, strong focal elements were established throughout the yard, and edges were erased by thinning boundary profiles to their thinnest component. The result is that panels of lawn then merge seamlessly…
A Serene Sanctuary Calls for Reflection Near the base of the Superstition Mountains, this modern, curvaceous home was begging for a more appealing yard and landscape design than just the typical closed in pool and patio. Joe and Diane Corvino, while living out of state for nearly the entire project, entrusted Kirk to bring his…
The artful touch of Bianchi Design on this home unlocks the jewel hidden within. A neglected ’60s ranch in Paradise Valley, Az, situated along the north face of Camelback Mountain was not only dated, it was never designed to take in the spectacular setting afforded by its prime location in…
A complete metamorphosis was needed to bring out the buried treasure hidden beneath this yard, and a family of five rattlesnakes had to find a new home! Here’s the short list of the awkward elements that had to be remedied: First, the neighbors’ living room window peered perpetually (like, all the…
As an outdoor architectural designer, I bring together three disciplines; landscape, swimming pool, and exterior architecture, to form one harmonious vision that will transform and liven your outdoor experience. Ordinary settings become extraordinary. For a complimentary consult, drop a line at our Contact page.
A thoughtfully integrated pool can have a great impact on the resale value of a property, its aesthetic quality, and also the enjoyment of the homeowners. However, when a homeowner is ready to add a feature pool to their property, they frequently run into a danger zone without even realizing…
Why do people get in a rut and end up settling for less? Sometimes it’s because we don’t realize what we are missing out on or are apprehensive about the supposed disruptions and effort it will take to make a change. We might say, “I don’t know what I don’t…
When it comes to companies that create custom, beautiful pool designs and build them, bigger is not always better. Salespeople of large and small companies alike are not generally versed in architectural strategies and principles, so that a pool or landscape becomes one with the home. Even their “custom from…
You are probably about to make a significant expenditure in your outdoor living space. But whom should you call first to help? It depends whether you need a quick utilitarian fix to an urgent problem, or if you want a long-term solution offering the highest level of beauty, functionality, and…
“My backyard is ugly and uninviting… not a place that I would welcome friends and family.” Does this sound familiar? Plenty of people buy their home based on how it looks from the curb or how the rooms are laid out with little regard to the outdoor living areas. In…
For most families, thoughtfully crafted outdoor amenities have the potential to be the key improvement that could define the soul of the home, creating memorable spaces that gather friends and family together. It’s wonderful to have a backyard that feels like a resort! Yet, when it comes time to implement,…
Many homeowners want to invest in their home because they love it, not necessarily for resale concerns or market value. Their house is their hobby, the thing they most like to spend time on making more beautiful and distinctive; therefore, optimizing their outdoor living spaces is a top priority. They…
Ever wonder what really makes one person’s yard stunning and what makes another’s mediocre? Let’s take two examples. Each spent similar amounts of money and have a similar checklist of individual features. But in the end, one is relaxing and inviting and there’s a party there every weekend; the family…
Designing the outdoor areas of a home has become part of a growing trend for homeowners who want to integrate innovative and customized designs into their estate with the purpose of maximizing their living space. Especially in warm climates, such as Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, Austin, L.A., San…
We don’t expect truly seasoned professionals such as doctors, consultants, lawyers, or even our plumbers to prepare their recommendations for free. Yet homeowners who want artistic pool and landscape design are increasingly settling for a business model that mistakenly intends to expedite their satisfaction by rushing through the most important…
When it comes to outdoor space and landscape design, being an informed customer can make a big difference. Establishing an open business relationship with your outdoor living space expert of choice can have major benefits for the success of the design project itself. Here is an interview with Kirk Bianchi,…
If you are in the market for a major landscape and pool construction project for your home and yard, and you are feeling inspired with the many home and garden ideas that are shown on TV and in print, you may already know you want something different than the status…
Here’s a frequent refrain, “I need a vacation. I’ve been stuck indoors at the office all week. I need an outdoor therapeutic place to escape to for relaxation and a sense of freedom rather than being cooped up at home. I need exercise and time with family, something that is…
Three main goals drove the design and construction of this one-of-a-kind pool. First, the homeowners wanted a backyard that embodied their lifestyle. Second, they wanted the design to exemplify the unique character of the home, which is part of a Taliesen designed community, where each house has the Frank Lloyd…
Published in Phoenix Home & Garden, September 2011 “Elegance and Comfort Meld in a Designer’s Own Residence” (excerpt) Rows of pavers intersected by grass lead to a wood trellis with grape-bearing vines and a tiled fire pit, with its displays of porcelain spheres. All designed by Kirk Bianchi, a Phoenix…
Published in Phoenix Magazine, March 2008 For decades, residents have spent most of the valley’s hot summers wading in ordinary homemade ponds called swimming pools. “What a travesty,” pool designer, Kirk Bianchi says, “These could be sacred pools.” After studying architecture at Arizona State University in the late 80’s, and…
When you were growing up, did you ever climb up into the neighbor kid’s tree house? Wasn’t it neat to be way up there in your own hideout where no one could see you – but you could see everyone? Didn’t you feel powerful, and a bit mischievous, as though…
Master Architectural Landscape Designer, Kirk Bianchi discusses the Serenity in your Own Backyard. This Award Winning Pool Builder and Landscape Designer incorporates the surrounding environment into his eclectic vision.
Pool Builder and Landscape Architectural Designer Kirk Bianchi’s Master Creation is Profiled on Phoenix Channel 3′s Good Morning Arizona. This Contemporary Masterpiece includes a 2 Story Waterfall, Negative Edge Pool and Secluded Jacuzzi. Bianchi’s Artistic Vision was also Featured in Aquascape Magazine.
When it comes to shaping space, furniture placement is as important as any other element of a design. I have seen many a design that was done without the furniture on the plan, and that is exactly why it did not work once the chairs and tables were introduced. In…